Losing Matt Shepard Analysis

From start to finish, Death has seen both horrors and wonders. However, in his profession, Death mainly witnesses the horrific parts of life, and he needs the reader to know that he is not immune to the suffering he

In “On Natural Death,” Thomas appeals to the readers by contemplating the subject of death with an academic approach that includes facts, data, and information. Thomas successfully transforms death from an awkward, emotional subject to a more comfortable intellectual one. This engages the readers by placing contemplation of death and dying within the confines of a more manageable and rational context. His gradual exhumation of death eases the audience into pondering the subject in the absence of emotional stress. The essay transitions from the death of an elm tree to that of a mouse. This is followed by Thomas giving a significant amount of attention to a scientific explanation of death, and then finally the description of the near death experience of a human. This use of an academic appeal moves the audience to a comfort zone with the subject of death and circumvents the common response of avoidance. The reader is simultaneously desensitized to the gravity of subject matter and given permission to consider death and dying without the normal societal negative stigma associated with the subject.

The Disney Way of Death explains the unfortunate/sad reaction to the evident loss of a loved one (friends and family). The reactions associated were common characteristics that Americans experience when they encountered death- Invisibility, silence, dispassion, institutionalization and taboo. (Laderman, 2000)

Painful as it may be, such experiences brings home the finality of death. Something deep within us demands a confrontation with death. A last look assures us that the person we loved is, indeed, gone forever.” (108) Cable finishes his essay by asking, Tim if his job ever depressed him. Tim in reply says, “No it doesn’t, and I do what I can for people and take satisfaction in enabling relatives to see their loved ones as they were in real life.” (108) After reading this essay I feel as though sometimes we don’t understand death so therefore we do not talk much about it. By reading about what goes on after your loved one dies and is sent to these places to be prepared and ready for burial, it helps to understand why morticians and funeral directors do what they do. Knowing that someone enjoys taking the responsibility in providing that comfort in a sorrowful time makes me appreciate these people in these occupations a bit

Death is a topic that unites all of humanity. While it can be uncomfortable to think about, confronting death in unavoidable. “Dying” addresses that discomfort and universal unwillingness to consider the inevitability of death. Pinsky’s use of imagery, symbolism, and tone create a poetic experience that is like death, something every reader can relate to. In “Dying,” Pinsky describes how people are oblivious and almost uncaring when it comes to the thought of death. Pinsky is trying to convince the reader that they shouldn’t ignore the concept of death because life is shorter than it seems.

Facing Death is a compelling documentary on, oftentimes, the final journey patients and their families will venture through together in life. The documentary seeks to capture how the patients and their families respond to the inevitability of death. The film includes families who respond to the issue by allowing their family member, the patient, to pass through the door of death without aggressive care, while there are yet other families who insist on everything being done to delay the moment of death. This topic of fighting death is attributed with producing much debate. On one hand are those who do not see the point of fighting death, however, on the other hand, there are those who believe that delaying death and staying alive is what ought to be done. Personally, from what I understand of either party, I think that I am a part of the later party. In addition, this issue naturally delves into what one believes occurs after death, as it is an issue dealing directly with death. This also compels me to view this topic from the viewpoint of the later party.

Death is one of the most avoided topics because of the finality that comes with it and the fear of the unknown after death. However, there are quite a number of authors such as AtulGawande, Elisabeth Kubler-ross and Ira Byock who have attempted to go ahead and deal with death as a topic and other connected topics.Each of these authors have delved into one of the most revered topics that is death including related topics that come with it such as the dying process itself. Ira Byock’s Dying well: Peace and possibilities at the end of life is a book that looks at the moment prior to death when an individual is terminally sick and is at the point of death. A

By biological logic, we human beings will face death sooner or later in our life and death has its very own ways to approach us - a sudden deadly strike, a critical sickness, a tragic accident, a prolonged endurance of brutal treatment, or just an aging biological end. To deal with the prospect of death come different passive or active reactions; some may be scared and anxious to see death, some try to run away from it, and some by their own choice make death come faster. But Viktor Frankl, through his work Man’s Search for Meaning, and Bryan Doyle; in his essay “His Last Game” show us choices to confront the death, bring it to our deepest feelings, meaningful satisfaction. To me, the spirit of the prisoners at deadly concentration camps, Frankl’s Logotherapy theory of “. . . striving to find a meaning in one’s life is the primary motivational force in man.” (99), as well as the calmness of Doyle’s brother on his last ride, like an awaken bell, remind us of how precious life is, how we should find the significance in every act of living, determine to live a meaningful life at any circumstances; hence, when death comes, we can accept it without anxiety nor regrets.

Christopher McCandless and Adam Shepard are two wealthy young men who decided to embark on a project, which ended in two different ways. Although the two men had the same goal and the same background their strategies proved them to be exceedingly different. The challenge itself showed courage and a tremendous amount of self reliance, but looking deeper it also showed work ethics , character and purpose. Both men took on the challenge to start with nothing, however only one of them ended with financial stability and the happiness they were both searching for. Having that being said, Adam Shepherds project served a greater purpose because he was able to economically move up in life, he did not burn bridges, and more importantly he proved his

Dying is a natural phenomenon which affects everyone; however, nobody stops to think about it and its implications. If humans truly reflected on what dying meant, it would affect the way they live. Mitch Album, author of Tuesdays with Morrie, was able to study and learn much about life from Morrie Schwartz, his old college professor, who wanted to impart the knowledge he learned as he died to Mitch so he could learn how to live. Morrie believed, “’Once you learn how to die you learn how to live’” (P. 82 M).

Finalizing, death is the word we all live to avoid, and we forget to actually live. According to Piven, the fear of death plays a critical role in our emotions (2004). We fear the idea of the unknown when in reality stepping into its thought it could ignite positivity within ourselves. Writing my own personal funeral eulogy for this assignment was a bit difficult at first, but with an open mind regarding such topic I was able to connect with myself in a unique and new way. None of us are completely certain of the possibilities presented when our lives some to end, but being aware of the fact and writing your own eulogy like this assignment enhanced us to presents you with new insights of how you are living life now. As an inspirational quote

The Depiction of the Moment of Death When many people talk about the moment of death, many things go through their minds. The most common emotions that people feel at the time of their death are loneliness and the fear of the unknown. “The Jilting of Granny Weatherall” by Katherine Anne Porter and “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce both explore the theme “Death and Dying”. However, they differ in terms of the main characters, the things that cross their minds at the moment of their death, and the way they died.

In the final moments of life, one can only imagine what type of questions will begin to manifest in one's thought process. Will my family be prosperous without me? Will the family be taken care of? Will the financial assets be transferred accordingly to the appropriate family member? The truth is, no one will truly know the fate or answers to these questions until it happens to them, and it can vary for each person. This is a humbling scenario that occurs on a daily bases in our society. In relation to a short story, “The Jilting of Granny Weatherall” whereas Granny Weatherall is on her deathbed while shuffling through her final thoughts and questions seeking a sign from God. A few readers will disagree with Granny’s final thoughts of how she had been “jilted” once again by not receiving a sign from God. When in fact, Granny has as indeed been given a sign from God, although it may not have been a sign she had been expecting.

Death is intimidating, daunting, and menacing; however, it will happen to all of us. This lesson about death is explained by the author, Mitch Albom, in his novel, Tuesdays With Morrie. Tuesdays With Morrie relays the story of Mitch Albom and his final days with his professor. Mitch writes several questions down that he wishes for Morrie to explain to him on their weekly Tuesday meetings. He questions our current society’s relationship with death among other things including aging, families, marriage, and love.

Human beings may attempt to understand his death and what it was like, however could never really grasp or relate since their own death has not been reached.